Transformational power is released at the intersection of divine grace and our responsibility.
We are looking at discipleship through the lens of an apprentice who is on a relational journey of spiritual transformation becoming an image bearer of Christ. We have looked at the Profile, Purpose, and Pattern of discipleship and now I want to explore the Provision for discipleship.
The question is “How does this transformation into His image bearer actually happen?” When we begin to think in terms of intentionality, we often sense a tension between God’s work of grace in us and our responsibility. What is God’s part and what is ours?
Spiritual formation (discipleship) is something we humans can and must undertake — as individuals and in fellowship with other apprentices of Jesus. While it is simultaneously a profound manifestation of God’s gracious action through his Word and Spirit, it is also something we are responsible for before God and set about achieving in a sensible systematic manner. D. Willard, “Renovation of the Heart” p. 25
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he captures succinctly the tension of these two provisions:
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him (Phil. 2:12-13 NLT).
In the New Testament there seems to be a constant parallelism between God’s provision of grace and our responsibility. The familiar call to discipleship in Matthew 4:19 ties these two critical concepts together:
“Follow Me (responsibility) and I will make you fishers of men (grace).”
When we reflect on the promises of God as His provision of grace, we recognize they are closely linked to our responsibility to fulfill a condition. In reality we cannot claim a promise without taking responsibility to fulfill the God given conditions that accompany it. For example the promise Jesus gives in Matthew 11:28:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden (our responsibility) and I will give you rest (provision of grace). Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me (responsibility) … and you will find rest for your souls (grace) …”
Peter also links God’s provision of grace for our transformation with our responsibility:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness (provision of grace) through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises (grace) so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this reason, make every effort (responsibility) to add to your faith goodness…knowledge…self-control … perseverance … godliness … brotherly kindness … and love” (2 Peter 1:3-7 NIV).
In the familiar discipleship metaphor of the vine and branches (John 15), Jesus clearly identifies both the provision of grace and personal responsibility. The main directive (responsibility) is to “abide in the Vine”. The grace provision is evident as the Vine provides the source of life and the Gardner provides necessary pruning. The branch, however, must remain fully connected to the vine in order to produce abundant fruit. Our responsibility is not to produce the fruit but to abide in Christ. The fruit will be the result.
The power for spiritual formation to become His image bearers comes where His grace and our responsibility meet. Paul’s pattern for beginning his letters to the churches was to first remind them that they were new creations with a new identity and position in Christ (provision of grace). But then he challenges them regarding their responsibilities to put on and put off various behaviors.
“That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph. 4:22-25 NASB).
Therefore…
- Stop lying and tell the truth
- Stop stealing and get a job
- Stop sponging and start giving
- Stop your vulgarity and start encouraging others by what you say
- Stop being bitter and start loving…
God in regeneration renews our original capacity for divine interaction. But our body’s substance is only to be transformed totally by actions and events in which we choose to participate from day-to-day. D. Willard, “The Spirit of the Disciplines”, p. 92-93.
Transformational power is released at the intersection of divine grace and our responsibility.
For reflection: Identify both the grace and responsibility in Paul’s statement.
“We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col 1:28-29).